Church Women's president discusses group projects with Rotary Club

LOUDONVILLE — Susie Piskur, president of the Loudonville Church Women, discussed many of the group's projects with the Rotary Club of Loudonville on Nov. 16.

One was the Church Women's biggest project of the year, the Loudonville Day of Sharing, which will be held Tuesday, Dec. 5 at the Loudonville Church of the Nazarene.

The Day of Sharing, Piskur said, "is an opportunity for families who, for whatever reason, need help during the holiday season. Each family is given four bags of groceries containing food, paper goods and hygiene products. They also receive new toys, new underwear, comforters and used winter coats, gloves, hats, baby items, etc."

"At the 2016 Day of Sharing, new toys were given to 443 children; 126 families were given groceries; 34 comforters were passed out; Bikes for Kids presented 32 bicycles to kids that need them; and 125 McDonald's coupons were distributed," Piskur continued. "The local schools donated 6,080 food items for the event, with leftover items given to Helping Hand, our local food pantry. It was a wonderful day."

This year's Day of Sharing begins at 10 a.m. Tuesday, with toys passed out at 10 a.m., groceries at 10:30 a.m. Participating families must show proof of residence in the L-P School District.

The Loudonville Church Women, Piskur said, is a 501(c)3 organization that strives to preserve traditions started by its predecessors 52 years ago. In addition to the Day of Sharing, they sponsor The Store, which provides clothing and other items to families that need them all year long; the community Bible display each November; and the May Fellowship Luncheon.

The organization was founded in 1965 by women of the Baptist, Lutheran, Methodist, Nazarene, Presbyterian and Trinity churches who pledged to work together to provide numerous community activities.

Today they include 21 members from the Nazarene, New Hope Community, First Baptist, United Methodist, St. John Lutheran McZen, St. Peter's Catholic, Trinity Community and Zion Lutheran churches.

Additional members and churches are always welcome.

The Store, at 509 N. Union St. In the lower level of the Nazarene Church, is open every Tuesday from noon to 3 p.m. for families to access used clothing, household items, used toys, small appliances, etc. Items are donated by community members and can be dropped off at the store Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays from 9:30 a.m. to noon, or arranged by calling Peggy Scott, 419-994-4586.

Piskur underscored the number of needy in the area, noting that of the 1,028 students in the L-P Schools, 44 percent are considered economically disadvantaged.

She expressed appreciation for all the financial support the organization has received, including $6,500 this year from the Mohican Area Community Fund and ongoing support from local businesses, churches, community organizations and the schools.

"We truly appreciate everyone's support and the difference it makes in our community," she said.